Gov. Ricketts confident Bolduc will lead NSP into new era

Sec. of State John Gale swears in Col. John Bolduc as the 18th Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol./Photo courtesy of NSP

Gov. Pete Ricketts says he is excited about a new era at the Nebraska State Patrol.

“Very excited to have Col. Bolduc on board,” Ricketts tells Nebraska Radio Network. “We obviously have some work to do with regard to how we look at our procedures and policies in the Nebraska State Patrol and he’s really the right leader to be able to help us lead through that process.”

Col. John Bolduc has been sworn in as the 18th Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol.

He takes over as an ongoing investigation into the possible misconduct of top patrol officials continues.

Ricketts says he isn’t worried about how that investigation will impact Bolduc’s leadership of NSP.

“We’ll get to resolution on all those cases and I’m confident that Col. Bolduc will be able to help oversee that and make sure we get to the right answers,” Ricketts says.

Ricketts says Bolduc might become involved in deciding on any disciplinary actions that might result from the investigation.

“Well, ultimately, he will oversee what happens with that organization and to the extent that any disciplinary actions are recommended, he will have to sign off on those,” according to Ricketts.

Bolduc is 52. Gov. Pete Ricketts appointed him as NSP superintendent to replace Superintendent Brad Rice who Ricketts fired. An investigation of NSP by the Ricketts Administration found fault with former Supt. Rice as well as the conduct of the chain of command during two use-of-force incidents. Five others have been suspended over allegations of dishonesty and dereliction of duty in two investigations into whether troopers used excessive force.

Bolduc comes to Nebraska after serving as Vice President of Public Safety and Police Chief of the Port of San Diego. He previously served as Chief of Police for the departments of Brainerd and Mora, Minnesota. Bolduc started his career in law enforcement as a police officer in 1986.